Card printing machine



May 31, 1966 w. F. GOODRICH CARD PRINTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 12, 1963 1 LL H J 54 IN VENTOR. WJLLJAMF 502717121511.

M 0. MW

AT T32.

May 1966 w. F. GOODRICH 3,253,541

CARD PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 INVENTOR: j WTLLIAM F GUUDHMH.

May 31, 1966 w. F. GOODRICH CARD PRINTING MACHINE .4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 12, 1963 l i E I I :1 E INVENTOR.

WILLIAM f. 50 01122155.

May 31, 1966 w. F. GOODRICH 3,253,541

CARD PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1963 4 Sheets$heet 4 i T574 ,305 42 Q6 'HHII.

INVENTOR: J/Z'LLIAM F 5001712103.

3,253,541 CARD PRINTING MACHINE Wiliiarn F. Goodrich, Adrian, Mich, assignor to The Signpress (Iompany, Adrian, Mich, a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 12, 1953, Ser. No. 308,521 Claims. (Cl. 101269) This invention relates to card printing machines and more especially to a machine or apparatus of this character particularly adapted for printing comparatively large show cards, signs, posters and the like.

The invention embraces the provision of a card printing machine embodying a reciprocable carriage equipped with improved means for adjusting and maintaining a desired pressure upon a sheet of stock, card or the like during printing operations in order to attain uniform type impression at all regions where the sheet of stock or card engages type.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of improved abutment or stop means for insuring proper position of the card or sheet stock during printing operations in combination with an improved clamping means for a card or sheet stock which is actuated by the relatively movable card positioning abutment means.

Another object of the invention resides in an improved clamping means for a card or a sheet stock which may be operated by foot actuated or manual means or actuated by means associated with the carriage of the printing machine when the carriage-is moved to a predetermined position.

Another object of the invention resides in a printing machine wherein the carriage is movable to a position facilitating the positioning of a card in the clamping means and wherein the arrangement is provided with a shelf or ledge adjacent the clamping means to assure uniform clamping of the card or sheet of stock throughout substantially the width of the card or sheet stock to be printed.

Another object of the invention resides in a carriage reciprocable on a track and provided with a pressure roller engageable with the card or stock embodying means for manipulating the pressure roller whereby the pressure roller may be moved to operative or nonoperative position irrespective of the relative position of the carriage on the bed of the machine.

Another object of the invention resides in an improved indexing means for the pressure roller to accommodate sheet stock or cards of various thicknesses.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a ramp arrangement associated with the carriage supporting track whereby the pressure roller is prevented from engagement with the clamping means for the stock or card.

Another object of the invention resides in traction wheel means for positively driving the pressure roll during movement of the carriage, the traction Wheel means having a surface media assuring effective engagement between the traction wheel means and the carriage supporting track.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bed plate having a roughened or sandblasted surface provided with a pattern of indexing lines arranged both lengthwise and transversely of the bed plate, the lines being formed with an ink of a character which penetrates into the roughened surface providing a permanent patsmas Patented May 31, 1966 tern and wherein the roughened or sandblasted surface tends to hold type from relative movement.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of spring biased card supporting means embodying magnetic bases, the card supporting means adapted to be positioned at various regions on the bed plate to prevent inadvertent contact of the stock or card to be printed until the pressure roller is engaged with the sheet of stock or card during a printing operation.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a reciprocable carriage for the pressure roller which may be manually moved along the bed plate or which may be motor operated.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a pressure roll locking means which is movable to a roll locking position irrespective of the position of adjustment of the pressure roller.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elementsof the structure, .to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a form of card printing apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the card printing apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a rear end view of the upper portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side elevational view illustrating the card clamping and actuating means therefor and the carriage in its out-of-use position;

FIGURE 5 is an end view of the carriage illustrating the cam locking means for the pressure roll in locked position;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating details of the carriage mounting and the ramp arrangement for positioning the carriage in a nonprinting position;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view through an end region of the carriage, the view being taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional'view taken substantially on the line 99 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 10 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line I0--10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view partly in section of a card support;

FIGURE 12 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a detail sectional view taken substan' tially on the line 13I3 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 14 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the invention illustrating a motor driven carriage arrangement;

FIGURE 15 is an end view of the arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 16 is a detail sectional view illustrating an actuator for the clamping means which may be manually operated or operated by the carriage, and

FIGURE 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a circuit for the motor operated carriage arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 14.

Referring to the drawings in detail and initially to FIGURES 1 through 5, the card printing machine or apparatus of the invention is preferably mounted on a supporting frame or table-like construction It} comprising pairs of upright members or legs 12, the pairs of legs being connected by longitudinally extending members 14 at their lower regions and supporting a planar structure 16 which may be made of wood or planking adapted to support the bed 26 of the apparatus.

The bed 20 is of substantially rectangular configuration andis preferably of cast metal such as cast iron or steel having a horizontal bed plate or planar portion 22 and depending side flange portions 24 and transverse reinforcing ribs 25 joined with the side flanges.

The side flanges 24 may be integrally cast with the bed portion 22 or may be formed as separate members welded to the portion 22. Disposed longitudinally of the bed plate 22 at each edge region thereof are parallel tracks or ways 26 fashioned of metal. The tracks 26 are preferably fashioned as separate members secured to the bed plate by screws 27 or other suitable means. As shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4, the tracks 26 extend substantially beyond the ends of the bed plate 20 to provide support for the carriage 30 in nonprinting positions.

Mounted upon the extending regions of the tracks 26 adjacent the left end as viewed in FIGURE 1 are ramps 32 for a purpose hereinafter explained. The end regions of the tracks 26 are supported by pairs of struts 34 upon the planar frame structure 16. The upper surface 23 of the bed plate 22 is adapted to support printing types 36 held in printing position by magnetic or other suitable means.

The carriage 30 is mounted for reciprocation along the longitudinally extending tracks 26 and journally supports a pressure or printing roll 40 for engagement with the reverse side of sheet stock or card 42 to be printed.

The carriage is inclusive of end plates 44 and 46 which are secured in spaced relation by transversely disposed rods or bars 48. Each of the end regions of the bars or stays 48 is formed with a threaded tenon 50, one of which is illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 10 providing a ledge or shoulder 52 engageable with the adjacent end plate for properly spacing the end plates 44 and 46.

Each of the threaded tenons is provided with a securing nut 54 for securely fastening the end plates to the rods or stay bars 48. While in the embodiment illustrated four stay bars 48 are employed for joining the end 1 plates, it is to be understood that any number of stay bars may be employed for the purpose if desired. As the end plates 44 and 46 and the components carried by and associated therewith are identical with the exception of an indexing mechanism carried by one of the plate assemblies, a description of one end plate assembly will suflice for both.

Secured to the outer surfaces of each of the end plates 44 and 46 is a pair of vertically disposed laterally spaced bars or members 56, each of the bars being secured to the adjacent end plate by screws 58. The bars 56 provide guide members or ways for a vertically reciprocable member or block 60. Each member or block 60 is preferably provided with a bearing sleeve or bushing 62 through which extends a tenon 64 formed on each end of a shaft 66, the latter supporting the pressure roll assembly as hereinafter described.

Disposed beneath each of the ways or members 56 is a horizontally arranged member or block 68 secured to the adjacent end plate by screws 70. Each of the reciprocable members 60 is formed with a pair of bores or recesses 72, and each of the horizontally arranged members 68 formed with a pair of recesses 74 which are respectively in registration with the recesses 72 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 9. Disposed in each of the pairs of aligned recesses 72 and 74 is an expansive coil spring 76 which normally biases or urges the block or member 60 toward its uppermost position.

Each end plate 44 and 46 is provided with a vertical slot 78 to facilitate vertical movement of the tenon 64 at each end of the roll supporting shaft 66. A traction wheel or roller 80 is disposed at each end of the pressure roll assembly 40, each traction wheel being provided with a bearing sleeve or bushing 82 whereby each wheel 80 is journaled for rotation on the adjacent tenon 64. The periphery of the wheel 80 is faced with a sleeve or band 84 of synthetic rubber, such as neoprene, resinous plastic or other material providing effective frictional engagement or contact with the upper surface of each of the tracks 26 to establish a nonslipping engagement of the traction wheels 80 with the tracks 26 during reciprocable movements of the carriage 30.

The pressure roll assembly 40 is inclusive of a hollow cylindrical or tubular member 36 provided at each end with an end head 38, each of the heads being journally supported upon the shaft 66 through the medium of antifriction bearings 90, such as needle bearings of conventional construction.

The exterior cylindrical surface of the member 86 is provided with a cylindrical sleeve 92 formed of rubber, synthetic rubber or suitable resinous material or plastic providing a yieldable roll surface for engagement with a card or stock to be printed.

Means is provided for driving or rotating the pressure roll 40 by the traction wheels 80. As shown in FIG- URES 7 and 8, each of the end heads 88 of the pressure roll assembly is provided with a pin or stub shaft 94 which extends parallel with the axis of the roll supporting shaft 66. Each of the traction wheels 88 is provided with a generally radially arranged slot 6 into which extends the pin 94 of the adjacent end head.

The tenons 64 on the roll supporting shaft 66 are eccentric with respect to the axis of the shaft 66, as shown in FIGURE 8, whereby relative rotative movement of the shaft 66 and its tenons 64 effect a relative vertical movement of the shaft portion 66 with respect to the bed plate 22 of the machine and hence with respect to a card to be printed. The generally radial slot 96 formed in each of the traction wheels 80 provides for relative eccentric adjustment of the pressure roll assembly 40 with respect to the traction wheels 30 yet establishing a drive connection by reason of the pins 95 engaging the side walls of the slots 96 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8.

By reason of the eccentricity of the tenons 64 with respect to the axis of the shaft portion 66 supporting the pressure roll 40, rotation of the shaft 66 and its tenons 64 relative to the traction wheels 80' effects a vertical adjustment of the pressure roll 40 with respect to the traction wheels 80. This adjustment is for the purpose of regulating the relative vertical position of the pressure roll 40 with respect to a card to be printed whereby cards or sheet stock of varying thicknesses may be printed and attain the proper roll pressure against the card or sheet stock to secure uniform type impressions on the card.

Thus by relative rotation of the shaft 66 and its tenon 64 the pressure roll may be indexed to a proper position for printing cards of a desired thickness. FIGURES 1 and 7 illustrate an indexing means for effecting relative rotation of the tenon 64. Secured to the block or member 69 at one end of the carriage is an indexing plate 100 preferably of circular shape as shown in FIGURE 1, the plate being secured by screws 162, shown in FIGURE 7.

The plate 100 is provided with a circular row of openings 164, the openings being arranged on a radius about the axis of the adjacent tenon 64 of the shaft 66. Disposed on an end region of the tenon 64 is an index arm or member 166, shown in FIGURE 7, secured to the tenon by a pin 168 whereby the shaft 66 and the tenon 64 are rotatable with the arm 106.

The region of the arm 106 adjacent the row of circular openings 104 is fashioned with a bore 110 in which is disposed a plunger 11-2 and an expansive coil spring 114. The plunger 112 is provided with a projection 116 of a size to fit into any selected opening 104- formed in the index plate 100.

The plunger 112 is provided with a stem 118 extending forwardly of the plate 106 and equipped with a manipulating button or knob 120. As the plunger 112 is slidable within the bore 110, the index member 106 may be moved to any desired position by withdrawing the projection 116 by manipulation of the knob 120 from an opening 104 and rotating the arm 106 to a different position and reengaging the projection 116 with another of the circular openings 184.

This relative rotational movement of the arm 106 and the tenons 64, through the eccentric arrangement of the tenons 64 with respect to the axis of the shaft 66, effects a vertical adjustment of the pressure roll 40 with respect to the periphery of the traction wheels 80 to regulate the relative position of the pressure roll as required by the thickness of the sheet stock or card to be printed.

The arrangement includes means for moving the pressure roll assembly 40 including the traction wheels 80 vertically with respect to the end plates 44 and 46 to facilitate the positioning on the bed plate 22 of a card to be printed and facilitating removal of a card after printing.

Extending in parallelism with the axis of the shaft 66 is a rod or member 124, each end region of the member 124 being formed with a tenon 126 of reduced diameter. The tenons 126 extend through bores in the end plates 44 and 46. Mounted upon the tenons 126 are cam members or cams 128 of a shape as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5,

the curved cam surface 130 of each cam being eccentric with respect to the axis of the tenon 126.

Each cam is secured to the adjacent tenon by a pin 1'32. Formed in the shaft or member 124 adjacent each of the end plates 44 and 46 are radial bores, each threaded to re ceive a rod or member 136, the distal end of each rod being provided with a manipulating knob or handle portion 138. Each of the vertically movable blocks or members 60 is provided with a member or cam follower 140 as shown in FIGURES 4, 5, 7 and 9. Each of the blocks 66 is formed with a pair of vertically disposed threaded bores adapted to receive the threaded screws 142 as shown in FIGURE 9.

Each of the screws is provided with a circular head 144 which extends into a counterbore formed in the lower portion of each'of the blocks 140. 'Each of the counterbores accommodates a screw head 144 and is in registration with a bore 146 of reduced diameter, the junction of each bore 146 with the counterbore forming a ledge or abutment for the adjacent screw head 1 44.

The screw heads 144 are fashioned to receive an adjusting tool 148, shown in FIGURE 9 for adjusting the relative positions of the screws 142 to control or regulate the position of the cam follower or member 140 with'respect to the adjacent block 60.

Each of the blocks or cam followers 140 has an upper surface 151 which is engaged by the cam surface 130 of the cam 128 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. The position of the cams 128 with respect to the block 146 is determined bythe relative position of the manipulating handles or rods 136. When the handle 136 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG- URE 4 until the handle engages one of the uppermost rods or stays 48, the cam followers or blocks 140 and the adjacent blocks 60 are in their uppermost positions shown in FIGURE 4.

When the handle 1 36 and its supporting shaft 124 are rotated in a clockwise direction to bring the handle 1 36 in position with another of the upper-most rods 48, that is, to the position shown in FIGURE 5, the cam surfaces 131 during this movement, depress the followers or blocks trated in FIGURE 9 by the adjusting tool 148 so that when the handle 136 has been moved to engage an uppermost stay or rod 48 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 5, the pressure roll 40 is in a predetermined position. Thereafter when it is desired to adjust the pressure roll 40 with respect to the traction wheels 80, the indexing knob is manipulated, to disengage the projection 116 from an opening in the plate 100, and the arm 106 rotated to a position at which it is desired to limit the relative movement of the pressure roll 40 with respect to the traction wheels depending upon the thickness of the sheet stock or card to be printed.

The provision of a handle 136 and manipulating knob 1'38 adjacent each end region of the shaft 124 facilitates locking and unlocking the pressure roll 40 from either end of the carriage. The carriage is provided with means to facilitate reciprocation thereof lengthwise of the tracks 26 over the card printing area without relative vertical movement of the carriage as it traverses the card printing area. Provided in the lower corner region of each of the end plates 44 and 46 is an opening adapted to receive a tenon '152 formed on a member 154 on which is journally supported a roller 156 preferably of resinous plastic material such as molded nylon.

The tenon 152 has a threaded portion to accommodate a securing nut 158 for securing the member 154 in fixed position relative to the carriage. Each nylon roller 156 engages the lower surface of the adjacent track 26 as shown in FIGURES 5, 7, 9 and l0.

Arranged generally above each of the tenons 152 in each of the plates 44 and 46 is an opening to accommodate a tenon 160 of a member 162, as shown in FIGURES 9 and 13. The tenon 160 has a threaded portion to receive a securing nut 164. The member 162 is fashioned with a journal portion 166 on which is journaled a roller 168, the journal portion 166 being eccentric with respect to the tenon 160.

Each of the rollers 168 engages the upper surface of the adjacent track 26. The outer end of the tenon 160 is provided with a kerf 170 to accommodate a suitable tool for rotating the member 162 so as to adjust the position of the roller 168 to attain snug engagement with the upper surface of the track 26, the member 162 being locked in position by a securing nut 164. Through this arrangement of a pair of rollers 156 and 168 adjacent each corner region of the plates 44 and 46 and through the adjustment of the journal 166 to shift the position of the roller 168, the rollers snugly engage the upper and lower surfaces of the track to eliminate lost motion and prevent vertical movement of the carriage 30 along the tracks 26.

Means is also provided engaging an outer face of each of the tracks 26 to eliminate endwise movement of the carriage. As shown in F IGURES 5, 9 and 10, each of the plates-44 and 46 is'provided with a pair of openings, one above'each of the tenons 152, the openings being threaded to accommodate threaded members 172. Disposed between the end of each member 172 and the outer surface 27 of each of the tracks 26 is a thrust member 174 preferably formed of resinous material such as nylon adapted to engage the surface 27. "If desired, the member 172 and thrust member 174 may be fashioned as a single component of resinous material.

The outer end of the member 172 is provided with a kerf 176 to receive a tool for adjusting its relative position to obtain a snug yet sliding engagement of the thrust member 174 with the adjacent track 26. The members 172 are locked in adjusted positions by locking nuts 178. Through this arrangement lateral or transverse 7 relative movement of the carriage with respect to the track construction is prevented.

A wiping device is provided associated with each of the end plates of the carriage for removing dust or foreign matter from the upper surfaces of the track members 26. Referring to FIGURES 9 and 10, there is disposed adjacent the plate 46 an L-shaped bracket 180,

the upwardly extending leg 182 of the bracket being contiguous with the adjacent surface of the end plate 46 and secured to the end plate by screws 184. The leg 182 of the bracket is provided with a vertical slot 186 to facilitate vertical adjustment of the bracket.

The horizontal leg 188 of bracket 180 is equipped with a felt or nonmetallie wiping member 190 cemented or otherwise secured to the leg 188, the lower face of the wiper member 190 engaging the upper surface of the adjacent track 26. The plate 46 at the opposite end of the carriage is provided with a similar track wiping arrangement as above described. During longitudinal movement of the carriage the wiping members 190, contacting the track surfaces, remove any dust or foreign matter from the tracks. The arrangement of the invention includes novel means for positioning a card or sheet of stock to be printed and for effectively clamping the card against relative movement during a printing operation. The card positioning means and card clamping arrangement are best illustrated in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4. Disposed at the head end of the bed plate 22 is a transversely extending bar or member 200. The bar 209 may be fashioned of metal or rigid resinous material. The bar 200 is provided with a forwardly extending portion 202 forming a support shelf and guide means for the end region of a card 42 to be printed.

The bar 200 is formed with a longitudinally extending semicylindrical recess 204 to receive andaccommodate a bar or member 206. The bar 206 has lengthwise spaced cylindrically-shaped portions 208 and 210 as shown in FIGURE 3. The regions of the bar 206 between the cylindrically shaped portions 210 and 208 and the portions of the bar beyond the cylindrical portion 208 are of half round or half cylindrical configuration as shown in FIGURE 4. The bar or member 200 is provided with slots 212 and 214 adjacent the cylindrical portions 208 and 210. The bar 200 is secured to a member 24 of the bed plate construction by means of L-shaped brackets 216 secured to member 24 by screws 2'18.

Resilient or flexible means are provided for clamping the show card or sheet stock in position to be printed. Disposed lengthwise of the bar 200 is a plurality of flexible spring-like members or spring fingers 220 spaced apart as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

The fingers 220 are provided with portions 222 and 224, as shown in FIGURE 4, embracing the rear portion of the bar 200. The spring fingers 220 disposed between the recesses 212 and 214 are secured in place by means of L-shaped brackets 226 while the spring fingers disposed beyond the recesses 212 are secured in place by L-shaped members 228.

Both sets of L-shaped members 226 and 228 are secured to the bar 200 by screws 230. The forward portions of the spring fingers 220 are provided with downwardly directed angular portions 232, shown in FIG- URE 4, for engagement with the edge region of a card or stock 42 to be printed. It should be noted that the horizontal portions 234 of the spring fingers 220 are engaged by the planar surface of the semicylindrical bar 206, as shown in FIGURE 4. When the bar 204 is rotated from the position shown in FIGURE 4, the horizontal portions 234 and downwardly extending angular portions 232 will be elevated to the broken line positions, shown in FIGURE 4, to effect release of the card 42.

The arrangement includes means for rocking or partially rotating the bar 206 to manipulate the spring fingers 220 to grip and release the card 42. It should also be noted that the forward exposed region of the semicylindrical surface of member 204 provides an abutment or stop means for positioning the card 42 in position to be printed and that the card-engaging surface of such stop means, while movable vertically whenever the half round bar 204 is rotated, does not impair or disturb the position of the card 42 and that the cylindrical surface of the half round bar 204 is always available to position the card 42 in the proper position for printing.

Each of the cylindrical portions 208 and 210 of the bar 206 is provided with a transverse opening to receive a rearwar-dly extending rod or member 236. Extending parallel with the bar 200 is member 238, the rods 236 being secured to the bar 238. Mounted on the central bar 236, as shown in FIGURE 4, is a bracket 240 adapted to be connected with means for rocking or rotating the shaft 206 to actuate or influence the relative positions of the card gripping fingers 220.

In the embodiment illustrated the bar 206 is adapted to be rotated or rocked by foot-operated means, but it is to be understood that manual means hereinafter described may be utilized if desired. Pivotally secured to or fulcrumed on the frame member 14 is a pedal lever 244 of conventional construction. Secured to the pedal lever 244 is an upwardly extending rod 246 connected with a member 248 which is pivoted by means of a pivot shaft 250 with a lever 252. The lever 252 is pivoted by means of a pin 254 on a bracket 256 depending from the member 16, as shown in FIGURE 1.

This distal end of the lever 252 is provided with an opening to receive a threaded portion 258 of a clevis member 260. One end of a flexible chain 262 is secured to the clevis member 260 by a pin 264, the other end ofthe chain being secured by a pin 266 with the bracket or member 240 secured on centrally disposed rod 236.

Secured to the transverse member 24 of the bed plate construction is a bracket 268 which journally supports a guide pulley 270 engaged with the chain 262 in the manner shown in FIGURE 4. The threaded member 258 may be adjusted with respect to the lever 252 by means of adjusting nuts 272 shown in FIGURE 4.

When the operator desires to elevate the spring fingers 220 in order to affix a card or sheet stock 42 in position to be printed or to remove same, he exerts downward pressure upon the treadle or pedal lever 244, which action swings the lever 252 about its pivot or fulcrum 254 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1 and, through the medium of the chain 262, rotates the shaft 206 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURES l and 4, causing the planar surfaces of the semicylindrical portion of shaft 206 to engage and elevate the forward portions 232 of the fingers 220 out of engagement with the card or sheet stock. I It is to be undhrstood that two chains will be employed in lieu of the single chain 262 with the bar 238 at regions spaced each side of the center region of the bar 238 and connected with the rod 258 to effect the application of release force at spaced regions on the bar.

The ramp 32 is provided on each of the rails or tracks 26 as shown in FIGURES l, 2, 4 and 6 to elevate the printing roller 40 to facilitate movement of the carriage 30 to an initial position, shown in FIGURES 1 and 4. In order for the printing roller 40 to clear the card gripping fingers 220, the operator releases the cam means 128 from the position shown in FIGURE 5 to the position shown in FIGURE 4 so that the springs 76 elevate or raise the printing roll 40 to enable movement of the carriage along the ramps 26.

Another feature of the invention is the treatment of the type supporting surface 23 of the bed plate 22. The type supporting surface 23 of the bed plate is sandblasted or etched so as to render it roughened. The roughened surface tends to hold the type, both wood or metal, from moving laterally as compared with the usual method of mounting type on a smooth surface. It

9 provides an excellent surface for supporting magnetic type or holding type by magnetic means to the surface. The type aligning pattern 296 comprising longitudinal and transverse lines shown in FIGURE 2, spaced one-half inch or one inch apart, are applied to the sandblasted surface of the bed plate by a conventional silk-screen process employing an epoxy ink or lacquer. It is found that epoxy ink penetrates the sandblasted surface to an extent that it provides a pattern having a long life, as the lines are not easily obliterated by reason of sliding of the type on the surface in composing type for printing.

In the printing of comparatively large show cards or sheet stock, it is desirable that the show card or stock be held slightly elevated above the printing type whereby movement of the press roll or roller 40 over the reverse side of the show card presses the card onto the type so as to provide a clear impression without smearing. FIG- URES 11 and 12 illustrate a card hold-off device, a plurality of such devices being employed between spaced adjacent lines or sections of type to normally elevat the show card above the type.

Each of the devices 280 includes a cylindrically-shaped tubular housing 282 having an upper end wall 284 provided with an opening in which is slidably received a plunger 286 having a shoulder or circular ledge 288 engageable with the end wall 284 to limit the uppermost movement of the plunger 286. The housing 282 is cemented or otherwise secured to a base 290 of magnetic material whereby the device may be magnetically retained in any position in which it is placed on the bed 22. A comparative weak expansive coil spring 292 is disposed between the shoulder 288 and the base 290 and normally biases or urges the plunger 286 to its uppermost or card engaging position.

The distance between the lower surface of the base 290 and the upper end of the plunger 286 is slightly higher than the type when disposed on the press bed so that a card engaging the upper end of the plunger 286 is normally out of engagement with the type, As the press roller passes over the show card the roller depresses the plungers 286 of the several units 280 engaging the card with the type and, after the roller passes the regions of the hold-off devices or units 280, the springs 292 elevate the plungers to raise the card away from the type. In this manner the card is engaged with the type only during a printing operation, the elevating or card holdoff devices 280 preventing smudging of the cards or stock.

The sequence of steps or operations in printing a card by the apparatus or arrangement illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 12 are as follows: The carriage 30 is positioned in its extended location in a left-hand direction away from the press bed, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The type 36 are then arranged as desired on the bed 20 and several of the card elevating devices 280 arranged adjacent the types as shown in FIGURE 1. The operator then inks the type by moving an inking roll (not shown) over the face of the type as is conventional in printing cards or sheet stock.

The operator then depresses the pedal lever 244, rocking or moving the rod 236 about the axis of the shaft 206 to cause the flat surface of the shaft 206 to raise the card engaging tips 232 of the spring fingers 220. The operator then inserts a card or sheet of stock 42 disposing the edge thereof on the shelf 202 and into abutting relation with the peripheral surface of the bar 206 in-the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4, the bar 206 providing an abutment or locating means for accurately positioning the card to be printed.

The operator then manually moves the carriage 30 to a position wherein the traction wheels 80 are just out of engagement with the ramps 32 as shown in FIGURE 4 The operator then moves a cam operating lever 138 from its full release position shown in FIGURE 4 to printing position shown in FIGURE 5 wherein the cam I28 moves the printing or press roll 40 downwardly to card engaging and printing position preparatory to initiating a printing operation.

The operator then moves the carriage 30 along the tracks 26 to the position shown in broken lines at the opposite end of the bed plate 20 and away from the card 42 being printed.

As the printing roll 40 moves over the card or stock 42 it depresses the card elevating or hold-ofit' devices 280, shown in FIGURES 2, 11 and 12, depressing the card into engagement with the type to effect printing impressions on the card. The operator then depresses the treadle or pedal lever 244 to release the spring fingers 220 from engagement with the card 42 and removes the printed card from the apparatus.

Before the carriage is returned to its initial position, the operator moves the cam operating lever 138 from the position shown in FIGURE 5, that is, a printing position of the, printing roll, to the position shown in FIGURE 4 whereby the springs 76 elevate the printing roll to enable the carriage 30 to be moved along the ramp 32 and over the card clamping means to its initial position shown in FIGURE 1. The operator then returns the carriage from the broken line position shown at the right-hand end of the frame as shown in FIGURE 1 to the opposite end in its initial position. The operator may then re-ink the type 36, depress the treadle 244 to elevate the spring fingers 220, affix an unprinted card in position in engagement with the abutment or bar 206, and release the treadle so that the spring fingers 220 frictionally grip the card in position to be printed, The above sequence of operations or steps is repeated in printing successive cards.

FIGURES 13 through 17 illustrate motive means for reciprocating the carriage and a modified form of means for actuating the card gripping fingers, the latter means being arranged for manual operation or automatic operation on return movement of the carriage to its initial position. In this form of the invention, the bed plate 22', the tracks 26, the carriage 30' and its components and the supporting structure 16 are substantially the same as those components hereinbefore described.

Arranged at the ends of the support means or structure 16 are pairs of brackets 300 which journally support pairs of sprockets 302 and 304, the brackets being secured to the end regions of the support 16'. sprockets 302 and 304 support chains 306, one adjacent each track 26', the flights of the chain being arranged in parallelism with the tracks. The sprockets 302 and 304 are fixedly mounted upon shafts 303 and 305 journally supported in the brackets 300, Each of the end plates 308 of the carriage 30 is provided with a depending lug or projection 310, the lugs being con nected with the upper flights of the chains 306 whereby movement of the chains effects movement of the carriage 30' along the tracks 26'.

The tracks 26 are provided with ramps 32' to facilitate vertical movement of the printing roll over the card clamping and card positioning means. Extending transversely of and secured to the uprights 12' at the righthand end of the apparatus, as shown in FIGURE 14, is a support or frame member 312.

Mounted upon the frame member 312 is a platform 314 upon which is mounted an electrically energizable motor 316 and a housing 318, the latter enclosing speed reducing mechanism, such as a driving gear or worm 320 and a driven gear'or worm wheel 322. The motor shaft 324 drives the worm 320 through a coupling 326.

The electrically energizable motor 316 is of the reversible type in order to drive the carriage alternately in opposite directions. The output shaft 328 of the speed reducing mechanism is equipped with a sprocket 330 which is connected by means of a chain 332 with a driven sprocket 334 fixedly mounted upon the shaft 305 carrying the sprockets 304. Through this arrangement the motor The 1 1 316 drives the chains 306, the power transmission gearing in the housing 318 being of a character to reciprocate the carriage 30' at a rate to effect proper printing of a card or stock.

A circuit for the motor is illustrated in FIGURE 17. Arranged adjacent each end of the apparatus are limit or stop switches 340 and 342 which are arranged to be actuated by being engaged by the carriage 30' at each maximum position of travel of the carriage to stop the carriage. The motor 316 is of the reversible type supplied with current from supply lines L1 and L2.

The circuit is inclusive of a switch 344 which when closed causes the motor to rotate in one direction and a second switch 346 which when closed causes the motor to rotate in the opposite direction.

An emergency stop switch 348 is intercalated in the circuit in order to stop the carriage at any time. The control buttons for the switches are contained in a housing 350 mounted upon a support member 352 secured to the support frame 16.

The arrangement shown in FIGURES 14 through 16 embodies a modified form of means for manually or automatically actuating the card gripping fingers and the card positioning member. In this form of construction the shaft or abutment member 206', the spring fingers 220' and the operating rod 236' are the same as hereinbefore described in connection with the arrangement shown in FIGURES 1 through 10. Secured to the actuating rod 236' is a bracket 352 and secured to the bracket is a member or bar 354.

When the carriage approaches its initial position, the bar 354 is engaged by an adjacent rod or member 54 to actuate the shaft 206 to move the spring members 220' to card release position. When the carriage is moved away from its initial position, the bar 354 moves to the broken line position indicated at 354" under the influence of the spring members 220' in which position the fingers 220' engage a card or stock 42 securing the same in a position for printing. The bar 354 is arranged to be actuated manually.

In the operation of the arrangement, shown in FIG- URES 14 to 16, with the master, switch 348 in closed position, the operator closes the switch 344 to initiate operation of the motor 316 to move the carriage 30' in a right-hand direction as viewed in FIGURE 14. When the carriage 30 is moved to a position adjacent the end of the ramp 32', the operator moves the handle 138 in a clockwise direction to lower the printing roll 40 to a printing position, this being accomplished without interrupting right-hand movement of the carriage.

When the carriage has moved full length of the bed 22', completing a printing operation, the carriage engages the stop or limit switch 342 to interrupt further movement of the carriage in a right-hand direction. The operator then manually moves the bar 354 rotating the shaft 206 to release the card-retaining spring fingers 220' and removes the printed card and closes the switch 346 which effects rotation of the motor 316 in the opposite direction to move the carriage to its initial position at the left-hand end of the support means 16'.

Before closing the switch 346, the operator moves the lever 138' in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 14 to release the printing roll for movement to its uppermost position when the ramps 32' are engaged by the traction wheels 80' to elevate the printing roll 40' in the manner hereinbefore described.

As the carriage approaches its initial position, the bar 354 is engaged by one of the members 48 and moved to the position shown in full lines in FIGURE 16, elevating the card gripping spring fingers 221) to facilitate positioning of a card in position to be printed through the sequence of operations above described.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

1 claim:

1. In a card printing apparatus, in combination, a printing bed adapted to support type, a carriage movable across the bed, yieldable-means for clamping a card in position to be printed, relatively movable abutment means adapted to be engaged by a card to be printed for positioning the card, said abutment means being arranged for movement to engage and actuate the card clamping means to effect release of the clamping means, means for moving said abutment means, a pressure roll, means on said carriage supporting the pressure roll for relative vertical movement with respect to the type supporting bed, adjustable means for controlling the relative vertical movement of the pressure roll, traction wheels associated with said pressure roll, and ramp means associated with the printing bed engageable by the traction wheels to elevate the pressure roll for movement over said abutment and card clamping means.

2. In a card printing apparatus, in combination, support means including a type supporting bed, a carriage mounted for reciprocable movement across said bed, a pressure roll mounted by the carriage engageable with a card to be printed, means for adjusting the pressure roll to accommodate cards of various thicknesses, a relatively movable card positioning bar arranged transversely of the bed, card clamping means including flexible portions normally stressed for clamping engagement with a card, a transversely extending member adjacent the card positioning bar for supporting the card at the region of engagement of the flexible clamping portions with a card, said clamping means being secured to said member, and means for moving said card positioning bar to actuate the flexible portions of the card clamping means.

3. In a card printing apparatus, in combination, support means including a type supporting bed, track means arranged longitudinally of the bed, a carriage mounted on said track means, a pressure roll mounted by the carriage engageable with a card to be printed, means for adjusting the pressure roll to accommodate cards of various thicknesses, a card positioning bar extending transversely of the bed, a member supporting said bar for relative rotative movement, card clamping means mounted by said member including flexible portions normally stressed for clamping engagement with a card, a ledge adjacent the card positioning bar for supporting the card at the region of engagement of the flexible clamping portions with a card, and means for rotating said card positioning bar to actuate the flexible portions of the card clamping means.

4. In a card printing apparatus, in combination, support means including a type supporting bed, track means arranged longitudinally of the bed, a carriage mounted on said track means, a pressure roll mounted by the carriage engageable with a card to be printed, means for adjusting the pressure roll to accommodate cards of various thicknesses, a shaft adapted to be engaged by a card to be printed for positioning the card, said shaft extending transversely of the type supporting bed adjacent an end thereof arranged for relative rotatable movement, a relatively stationary member extending transversely of the type supporting bed parallel with the shaft and supporting said shaft, a plurality of spring fingers mounted on said member, said fingers being normally stressed toward card clamping position, said fingers being arranged to be engaged by the shaft and moved from card clamping positlon upon relative rotation of the shaft, and means for rotating the shaft to actuate the spring fingers to card release position.

5. In a card printing apparatus, in combination, support means including a type supporting bed, track means arranged longitudinally of the bed, a carriage mounted on said track means, a pressure roll mounted by the carriage engageable with a card to be printed, means for adjusting the pressure roll to accommodate cards of various thicknesses, a shaft extending transversely of the type supporting bed adjacent an end thereof for relative rotatable movement, said shaft providing abutment means engaged by a card to be printed for positioning the card, a member supporting said shaft, said shaft having planar surfaces formed thereon, a plurality of spring fingers supported by said member, said fingers being arranged adjacent the planar surfaces of the shaft and normally biased toward card clamping position, said fingers being arranged to be moved from card clamping position by said shaft upon relative rotation of the shaft, traction wheels associated with said pressure roll, ramp means supported by the type supporting bed engageable by the traction wheels to elevate the pressure roll for movement over said abutment shaft and said card clamping fingers, and foot operated means for rotating the shaft to actuate the spring fingers to card release position.

6.,In a card printing apparatus, in combination, support means including a type supporting bed, track means provided on said bed, a carriage mounted on said track means and movable longitudinally of the type supporting bed, said carriage including end plates, card clamping means disposed adjacent an end of the bed for clamping a card in position to be printed, rotatable card positioning abutment means disposed adjacent the clamping means, a

shaft, a pressure roll journaled on the shaft, said shaft having tenon portions extending from the ends, the axis of the tenon portions being eccentric to the axis of the shaft, a traction wheel journaled on each tenon and arranged for traverse on the track means, a block adjacent each end plate of the carriage having an opening, the tenons extending through the openings in the blocks, means mounting the blocks on the carriage for vertical movement relative to the carriage, indexing means for rotating the shaft relative to the traction wheels to vary the relative position of the pressure roll to accommodate cards of various thicknesses, means for moving said blocks vertically to move the pressure roll into and out of card printing position, means establishing a drive connection between the traction wheels and the pressure roll, and foot operated means for rotating said abutment means to actuate said card clamping means.

7. In a card printing apparatus, in combination, support means including a type supporting bed, track means provided on said bed, a carriage mounted on said track means and movable longitudinally of the type supporting bed, card clamping means disposed adjacent an end of the bed for clamping a card in position to be printed, a rotatable card positioning means adjacent the clamping means, a shaft, a pressure roll journaled on the shaft, said shaft having tenon portions extending from the ends, the axis of the tenon portions being eccentric to the axis of the shaft, a traction wheel journaled on each tenon and arranged for traverse on the track means, a block adjacent each end of the carriage having an opening, the tenons extending through the openings in the blocks, means resiliently mounting the blocks on the carriage for vertical movementrelative to the.carriage, indexing means for rotating the shaft relative to the traction wheels to vary the relative position of the pressure roll to accommodate cards of various thicknesses, cam means for controlling vertical movement of said blocks to move the pressure roll into and out of card printing position, means establishing a drive connection between the traction wheels and the pressure roll, foot operated means for rotating said card clamping means, and ramp means arranged to be engaged by the traction wheels to elevate the pressure roll for movement past the card clamping means.

8. In a card printing apparatus, in combination, support means including a type supporting bed, track means disposed adjacent the bed, a carriage mounted on said track means and movable longitudinally of the type supporting bed, card clamping means disposed adjacent an end of the bed for clamping a card in position, to be printed, card positioning means adjacent the clamping 14 means, means for actuating said card clamping means, said carriage including a plate at each end thereof, a pressure roll for engaging a card to be printed, means associated with said plates supporting the pressure roll for relative vertical movement, traction wheels associated with said carriage arranged for traverse along the track means, eccentric means for changing the relative position of the pressure roll with respect to the traction wheels to adjust the relative position of the pressure roll for cards of various thicknesses, means establishing a drive conv nection between the pressure roll and traction wheels, ramp means arranged to be engaged by the traction wheels to raise the pressure roll above the card clamping means, and rollers mounted on said end plates engageable with upper and lower surfaces of the track means to prevent vertical movement of the carriage.

9. In a card printing apparatus, in combination, support means including a type supporting bed, track means disposed adjacent the bed, a carriage mounted on said track means and movable longitudinally of the type supporting bed, relatively movable card clamping means disposed adjacent an end of the bed for clamping a card in position to be printed, a card positioning means adjacent the clamping means, means for actuating said card clamping means, said carriage including plates at each end thereof, a pressure roll for engaging a card to be printed, means associated with said plates supporting the pressure roll for relative vertical movement, cam means for controlling the relative position of the pressure roll supporting means, traction wheels associated with said carriage arranged for traverse along the track means, eccentric means for changing the relative position of the pressure roll with respect to the traction wheels to adjust the relative position of the pressure roll for cards of various thicknesses, a pin and slot drive connection between said pressure roll and traction wheels, ramp means arranged to be engaged by the traction wheels to raise the pressure roll above the card clamping means, rollers mounted on said end plates engageable with upper and lower surfaces of the track means to prevent vertical movement of the carriage, and thrust members mounted by the end plates and engageable with the track means to prevent endwise movement of the carriage relative to the type supporting bed.

10. In a card printing apparatus, in combination, support means including a type supporting bed, track means disposed adjacent'the bed, a carriage mounted on said track means and movable longitudinally of the type supporting bed, relatively movable card clamping means disposed adjacent an end of the bed for clamping a card in position to be printed, a card positioning abutment bar adjacent the clamping means, said abutment bar being relatively movable and arranged to actuate said card clamping means to card releasing position, means for effecting relative movement of the abutment bar, said carriage including plates at each end thereof, a pressure roll for engaging a card to be printed, means associated with said plates supporting the pressure roll for relative vertical movement, cam means for controlling the relative position of the pressure roll supporting means, traction wheels associated with said carriage arranged for traverse along the track means, eccentric means for changing the relative position of the pressure roll with respect to the traction wheels to adjust the relative position of the pressure roll for cards of various thicknesses, means establishing a drive connection between the pressure roll and the traction wheels, a nonmetallic facing on the peripheries of the traction wheels, ramp means arranged to be en- I gaged by the traction wheels to raise the pressure roll 15 supporting bed, and wiper means on the carriage engaging 2,341,837 the track means for cleaning the track means. 2,375,793 2,651,988 References Cited by the Examiner 2,902,930 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,942,544 6/1921 Droitcour 101-284 3,087,422 6/1926 Bullock 101269 12/1926 Butler 51 319 ROBERT 5/1933 Cook 101-269 1/1937 Reardon 101269 1 9/1937 Storck 101132.5

Andrews 200160 X Kidrick et a1 101-269 Thomas et a1. 101-123 Hurlbut.

Williams 101269 Harding 101-269 PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Examiner.

J. REID FISHER, Assistant Examiner. 

7. IN A CARD PRINTING APPARATUS, IN COMBINATION, SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING A TYPE SUPPORTING BED, TRACK MEANS PROVIDED ON SAID BED, A CARRIAGE MOUNTED ON SAID TRACK MEANS AND MOVABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF THE TYPE SUPPORTING BED, CARD CLAMPING MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT AN END OF THE BED FOR CLAMPING A CARD IN POSITION TO BE PRINTED, A ROTATABLE CARD POSITIONING MEANS ADJACENT THE CLAMPING MEANS, A SHAFT, A PRESSURE ROLL JOURNALED ON THE SHAFT, SAID SHAFT HAVING TENON PORTIONS EXTENDING FROM THE ENDS, THE AXIS OF THE TENON PORTIONS BEING ECCENTRIC TO THE AXIS OF THE SHAFT, A TRACTION WHEEL JOURNALED ON EACH TENON AND ARRANGED FOR TRANSVERSE ON THE TRACK MEANS, A BLOCK ADJACENT EACH END OF THE CARRIAGE HAVING AN OPENING, THE TENONS EXTENDING THROUGH THE OPENINGS IN THE BLOCKS, MEANS RESILIENTLY MOUNTING THE BLOCKS ON THE CARRIAGE FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE CARRIAGE, INDEXING MEANS FOR ROTATING THE SHAFT RELATIVE TO THE TRACTION WHEELS TO VARY THE RELATIVE POSITION OF THE PRESSURE ROLL TO ACCOMMODATE CARDS OF VARIOUS THICKNESS, CAM MEANS FOR CONTROLLING VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF SAID BLOCKS TO MOVE THE PRESSURE ROLL INTO AND OUT OF CARD PRINTING POSITION, MEANS ESTABLISHING A DRIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TRACTION WHEELS AND THE PRESSURE ROLL, FOOT OPERATED MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID CARD CLAMPING MEANS, AND RAMP MEANS ARRANGED TO BE ENGAGED BY THE TRACTION WHEELS TO ELEVATE THE PRESSURE ROLL FOR MOVEMENT PAST THE CARD CLAMPING MEANS. 